I was an Armored Cavalry Platoon Leader in Vietnam from 1967-68. This account of Matt Gallagher's experience at the tactical level so resonated with me that I almost read it in one sitting.
The American Army has a wonderful corp of non-commissioned officers. Gallagher captures the essence of the relationship between the usually older and more experienced NCO and the young lieutenant. He illustrates the trust and the dignity in the platoon hierarchy. It is worth the read just to experience the interaction among this merry band of soldiers, sargents ,and one "young" lieutenant.
Gallagher's use of pseudonyms for his players is inspired. I cannot forget "Captain Frowny Face." By the same token his illustration of the differences between company grade and field grade officers was spot-on. Promote a captain to major, and he almost immediately loses 10-50 points in IQ.
Kaboom is a story of men in combat at the tactical level - the very basic level. Gallagher illustrates the limited horizon at the platoon level: the platoon gets an order. The platoon follows the order. The platoon leader, the NCOs, and the men work together to accomplish the goal without getting killed or injured. And then, it starts all over again.
I love military acronyms and the humor associated with them. From Fobbits to REMFs, Matt Gallagher gives the reader an insight into this world. It is nice to see that some things never change. SNAFU still means "Situation Normal All F...ed up."Get more detail about Kaboom: Embracing the Suck in a Savage Little War.
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